Rachel Pottern of Wake Forest (submitted photo)
Vance-Granville Community College student Rachel E. Pottern of Wake Forest is among just 28 students from across the state who have been selected to participate in the 2012-2013 North Carolina Community College Student Leadership Development Program (SLDP). Since 1999, the program has been conducted by the N.C. Community College System to enhance the leadership quality of student participants and to better prepare them for professional and civic responsibilities.
The SLDP kicked off this summer, when Pottern and her fellow participants met for an intense six-day training session at William Peace University (the former Peace College) in Raleigh from June 11-15. Students attended workshops on leadership skills and completed team-building activities each day, and then put their knowledge into practice by working on a group project at night. Pottern’s group developed and presented a three-pronged approach for community college student success. “We called our program ‘ACT,’ an acronym which stood for three activities we want students to do: Acquiring information on universities, Conflict resolution and Time management,” Pottern said. “One thing I took away from this experience was the amazing ability of people to work together toward a common goal,” she added. “I realized that I couldn’t accomplish anything without my teammates. I think this renewed my faith in teamwork and seeing the value that everyone brings to the table. It was an eye-opening program, and I highly recommend it.” Also during the week, students visited the North Carolina Community College System Office and attended a session of the North Carolina House of Representatives.
Pottern said that she was inspired by several distinguished guest speakers who spoke to the participants, including N.C. Community College System president Dr. Scott Ralls, Randolph Community College president Dr. Robert Shackleford, and Rockingham Community College vice president Dr. Robert Lowdermilk.
Students will meet again for weekend mini-sessions in November and in March 2013 before graduating. Pottern will also share what she learned with her fellow VGCC students by making presentations on campus during the school year.
Pottern is a student in the College Transfer program at VGCC. She has earned Dean’s List honors, been active in the Phi Theta Kappa honor society, received endowed VGCC scholarships and performed in college drama productions.